Apprentice Spotlight: Ruairi McAllister, GIS & Design HLA

At Viberoptix, we believe building a world-class fibre network starts with investing in our people. We are marking this Apprenticeship month by spotlighting some of our apprentices – sharing real stories about the hands-on experience they’re gaining, and the career paths apprenticeships can open up. 

Ruairi McAllister works within the GIS & Design team at Viberoptix and is currently completing a Computing Systems degree at Ulster University Belfast. 

• What initially made you choose an apprenticeship with Viberoptix? 

I knew early on that I wante to pursue a career in IT, so I attended an apprenticeship event at South West College in Dungannon. While there, I spoke with the team at the Viberoptix stand and was really interested in the work they were doing around network planning. It felt purposeful and impactful, and the role suited me both professionally and practically. 

I applied for the apprenticeship at 18 and later made the decision to switch to Ulster University Belfast to complete a four-year BSc in Computing Systems through the apprenticeship route. This has been a really positive move, allowing me to develop academically while gaining hands-on industry experience alongside my studies. 

• What does a typical day look like for you? 

A typical day starts with reviewing messages and emails to identify any design updates or changes needed across network maps in Northern Ireland. I then prioritise tasks based on delivery deadlines. 

Most of my work involves planning fibre networks, running GIS automation tools and quality-checking designs to ensure accuracy and consistency. While priorities can change throughout the day, the focus is always on delivering high-quality work on time. 

• What key skills have you developed so far through your apprenticeship, and how are you already applying them in your role day-to-day? 

Through my apprenticeship, I’ve developed strong technical GIS skills, alongside attention to detail and problem-solving abilities. I’ve learned how to analyse and interpret geospatial data, use ArcGIS Pro effectively, and apply robust quality control processes to network designs. 

I’ve also strengthened my communication skills by working closely with different teams across the business to resolve design issues and support project delivery. 

• How has your role evolved since your apprenticeship, and what does your job involve today? 

I started out planning urban fibre networks across Northern Ireland and Great Britain, before progressing to rural delivery work. This involved planning and quality-checking designs town by town and seeing projects through to completion. 

My role has continued to evolve, and I now work solely on the Gigabit project in Northern Ireland. This involves taking ownership of network design, managing quality assurance, and handling design changes to support the delivery of fibre infrastructure across the region. 

• Would you recommend an apprenticeship at Viberoptix, and what advice would you give to someone considering it? 

Yes, I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship at Viberoptix. It’s a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience while studying, and you’re trusted with real responsibility from an early stage. 

My advice would be to stay curious, ask questions and take every opportunity to learn. The more effort you put in, the more you’ll get out of the experience. 

Find out more 

Interested in starting your career with Viberoptix or learning more about working with our teams?
Get in touch at careers@fibrus.com.